Features – Page 3 – History Ireland

‘TIME OUT OF JOINT’—CALENDARS OLD AND NEW

By Cora Crampton A number of years ago I encountered a difficulty in progressing a promising research topic because of an issue in pinpointing precisely when a particular historical event had occurred. One source indicated that the event, the notorious massacre of the Gaelic ruling classes of Laois at the rath at Mullaghmast in south … Read more

PREMIUMS AND PROGRESS—HOW THE DUBLIN SOCIETY SHAPED EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY IRELAND

By Fiona Fitzsimons Founded in 1731 as a philanthropic organisation and members’ club, the Dublin Society was established to stimulate economic activity in Ireland. In 1738 it introduced a grant scheme funded by its own members. The first premiums were awarded in 1740 and continued annually. In 1761 the Irish parliament granted the Society £12,000 … Read more